The 5 R’s: Lessons We Value From Educators Beyond The ClassroomНамуна

The Value of Relationships

I am so thankful that Jesus created us for relationships. Our relationship with Him is primary and our relationships with one another form and flow through Christ’s love. We were not made to go through life alone and educators play a huge role in helping us navigate our way through some of our earliest relationships.

The command to “Love one another” covers a multitude of attitudes and actions. Relationships take time, patience, forgiveness, boundaries, and most of all, love. Do you remember some of the classroom/school rules that helped foster good relationships and friendships? We had rules about cheating off someone’s else’s test, keeping our hands and feet to ourselves, listen when someone is speaking, wait your turn, and always treat others the way you want them to treat you just to name a few. These rules taught us life lessons about character, love, and respect.

Do you remember your first “best friend?” What brought you together and what kept you together? What struggles did you have to work through in your junior and senior high school relationships? Did you ever go to your teacher or coach for help or advice? Perhaps you went to teachers for help with people who were hurting you in some way. Do you still do that? Pray and talk to Jesus, the greatest Teacher, about your relationships. Part of loving God with all of our heart is talking to Him about every aspect of our lives and inviting Him into our circumstances to guide and guard our steps with His love.

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for creating us for relationship with you and with one another. You have placed me in a certain home, neighborhood, community, church, workplace, or school to love the people that you put in my path. Help me to show them your love; help me to live out my love and trust that I have for you and to recognize and respect that we are all made in your image. Thank you for the educators who helped teach me the value of relationships, and thank you for educators who teach and model your Word and ways.